The Federal Government of Nigeria on Thursday, approved N5billion grant to be given to each of the 36 states of the federation for the procurement of grains as well as five trucks of rice to each state as palliatives to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
Also, the government of approved the distribution of 40,000 bags of maize to be distributed to the states.
This was disclosed by the National Economic Council (NEC), after its Thursday meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Also, the NEC directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to distribute the food items to states sharing border with Niger Republic over the recent political instability in the country.
Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum said the approval of N5billion and trucks of rice and grains were part of measures to bring temporary solutions to the high cost of living caused by the subsidy removal, as government continued to work with more enduring programmes.
Zulum said the states are to purchase 100,000 bags of rice and beans among other items.
Also speaking at the media briefing, Governor of Anambra state, Prof. Charles Soludo, said that the review of social register was in progress.
Soludo said Nigeria was already having refugees from Niger Republic, which he said was affecting the distribution of palliatives.